Are you serious about eating smart? Are you watching your wallet? Are you crazy for great food?

One of our favorite bean dishes covers all the bases. It is super healthy, easy on the budget and yummy.

While we’d like to say we’re organized enough to buy dried beans and cook them up — we aren’t.  Instead we usually make this with cans of organic White Northern or Cannellini beans, which we stock up on whenever we find them on sale. The rest of the ingredients are always on hand and we can whip this dish up at the drop of a hat. It’s great as part of a healthy dinner or as a simple appetizer served with pita chips.

Simple Beans and Olive Oil

1 can white beans

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 finely minced garlic clove

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)

kosher salt

pepper

fresh herbs

vinegar

Open the beans and throw them in a colander to rinse and dry. Place in a serving bowl and toss with the garlic, red pepper flakes, a generous toss of kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and extra virgin olive oil. Right before serving tear a few basil leaves (or thyme or oregano) into the mixture and serve. Finish with a splash of Sherry or balsamic vinegar.

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